In my real (human scale) home, I have a collection of cutting boards, so naturally my mini house needed one as well. At the miniature show in Chicago, I found three new mini cutting boards, all from seller Dragonfly International. I already have a couple other mini cutting boards, so now my collection is complete. Also, check out the adorable pots and yardstick, also from Dragonfly International!
Author: Holly Tierney of the blogs Flip This Mini House and Holly Recommends
The World’s Largest Miniature Show
MiniaturistsThis weekend was Chicago International 2015, the world’s largest miniature show, and I was there! I have tons of photos to share, but I’ll start with just one, showcasing these beautiful original paintings by artist Leslie Smith. For more information, click on the photo to be redirected to his website:
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Blogs and websites that inspireA mid century bubble chair for under $5
Handmade decor for my mini houseI was at my local craft store the other day, taking a look around since I was running early for an appointment. I came across a glass ornament (I have no idea what it was doing out in April — maybe it was meant to be used for a little spring/Easter scene?) that looked like a perfect mid century modern bubble chair. I decided I’d hang it from the ceiling in the corner of the living room. Ten minutes later, wondering down an aisle I’d never before set foot in, I discovered an assortment of plate and cup holders. One of the cup holders was a perfect match for my ornament/chair, turning it into an actual free-standing bubble chair. Here they are:
Details are important
UncategorizedToday I was advised to listen to this episode of This American Life. It’s pretty funny. Especially if you love miniatures.
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UncategorizedFlipThis(Mini)House is now on Twitter and Tumblr! Follow me at
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New to FlipThis(Mini)House? Here’s a recap for you!
Flipping my mini houseI’ve always loved dollhouses. Last summer (July, I think) my friend and her husband spotted a mid century dollhouse at a flea market and sent me a text, asking if they should buy it for me. It was just $35, appeared to be pretty solid looking, and had an awesome, unique split level layout.
“Sure!” I said.
A few hours later they were delivering it to me. Here’s how it looked on the day I got it:
Since then I’ve been hard at work creating furniture and accessories from scratch, tweaking store-bought furniture and accessories, and making over everything inside. Here are a few of the accessories and pieces of furniture I created from things like coasters, handles, and yarn that I wove on a potholder loom:

Tiny love seat made from two wooden handles, a mid century cloth napkin, and some small wooden balls. The tiny newspaper rests in a metal doodad from Habitat for Humanity Re-Store.
It took me months just to get all the wallpaper and flooring removed!
Here’s a look at some of the rooms in progress:
And now here’s a look at some of the rooms today:
For all the details, and to see the final unveiling which will hopefully happen in the later spring/summer, follow me here on WordPress or on the Flip This Mini House Facebook page.
Sometimes perfect is the last thing you want to be
Tweaking store-bought dollhouse furnitureAs I mentioned in my previous post, my mom picked up some adorable white cupboards for my kitchen. Here they are in place, in my semi-completed kitchen:
They’re a little taller than the window, which is unfortunate but not a huge deal.
I added the refrigerator into the mix, even though it needs some more coats of paint, but left out the stove since the paint was still really wet. It looks very cute, but not exactly mid century, not exactly modern, and not exactly personality-filled like I want my house to be.
I decided to make some small changes. I purchased some cool little gold buttons:
…and some woodgrain decorative tape, and gave the drawers and doors a makeover. Here’s a look at the “during” portion of the makeover:
The great thing about this makeover is that the tape can easily be removed without taking an paint off, and the original brass knobs can be stuck back in place. However, I decided I liked it and felt it was a better fit with the rest of the decor in the house, so I updated everything. Here’s a look at the “after” version:
As you can see, there are plenty of details still needing to be fixed, from paint on the window that needs to be removed, to trim that still needs to be installed. It will all come together soon though. If this new look seems a little weird to you, just wait. When you see the finished product, it will all make sense!
Some small changes to some (small) appliances
Tweaking store-bought dollhouse furnitureThe refrigerator and stove I plan to use in my house were a little too small and an icky shade of yellowish beige. After several unsuccessful looks at eBay and other online miniature shopping sites, I decided to do what I could to improve the appearance of them.
I didn’t mind so much that they were a little small — to me, it gave the refrigerator a bit of a Smeg feel to it, and the stove reminded me of a cute little 1960’s gas stove I had in an apartment long ago (my favorite apartment ever). But the stove in particular was just too small to work with the cute little set of cupboards my mom picked up for me, which I am firmly committed to using, so I decided to do what I could to make the stove a little bigger.
After putting a couple of coats of paint on each, I added some feet to the stove (tiles, actually).
The tiles/feet overhang the back of the stove, because I’m going to build up the back of it with some cork coasters. These little feet bring it up to the same height as my countertops.
These coasters not only give the stove a top portion for knobs, but they also make it so the stove is the same approximate depth of my counter tops.
I added some tape to round off the border of the stove, some more coats of paint, and some black brads as tiny control knobs.
My stove is almost done! It needs another coat of paint and some of the details worked out, but I’m much happier with the color, size, and general appearance. Photos of it in the kitchen coming soon!



























